Radial Rumble

Published: January 21, 2007, 10:45 am

Tags: airplanes, military aviation, wwii aviation, multi engine piston, aviation history

The first airplane model I have ever put together, glued, painted, etc. was a Boeing B-17G. The “Flying Fortress,” as it became known (labeled by the media after it is amazing array of onboard defensive armament), is one of the most famous airplanes ever built. Those of you not familiar with this aircraft are likely to remember it from the movie “Memphis Belle” or Steven Spielberg’s TV Series “Amazing Stories” - Episode 5: “The Mission“. The B-17 prototype first flew on July 28, 1935. Few B-17s were in service on Dec. 7, 1941, (the day of the attack on Pearl Harbour) but production quickly accelerated. The aircraft served in every World War II combat zone but is best known for daylight strategic bombing of German industrial targets. Production ended in May 1945 and totaled 12,726. SPECIFICATIONS: Span: 103 ft. 10 in. Length: 74 ft. 4 in. Height: 19 ft. 1 in. Weight: 55,000 lbs. loaded Armament: 13 .50-cal. machine guns with normal

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